Food Bank

In 2020 food banks became an essential resource for millions across the UK. There are many reasons that someone may need to use a food bank. They may have lost their job, fallen on hard times or may have been impacted by the economic implications of the pandemic.

It’s because of the increase in demand we wanted to get involved and turn words into action, and are currently supporting over 640 people per week. We teamed up with Covid 19 Basingstoke to ensure the most vulnerable in our community are taken care of and know that they haven’t been forgotten.

You can be a part of helping others by making a donation, allowing us to buy items in bulk to distribute. From fresh fruit and veg to much-needed baby formulae, your donation could mean someone has a decent meal.

During the first lockdown, we provided over 500,000 meals to adults and families across Basingstoke & West Berkshire.

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SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Spotlight UK works across West Berkshire, Basingstoke, and Hart & Rushmoor

Mentoring Support

We provide 1-2-1 mentoring and emotional support for children and young people aged 7-19 years from vulnerable backgrounds including young people with mental health issues, young people who are self harming, young people at risk of child sexual exploitation, young carers, children in care, children and young people affected by domestic abuse, neglect or physical/sexual/emotion abuse, children/young people who have experienced loss and separation, young people caught up with drugs/alcohol abuse or anti social behaviour, those excluded from school, those affected by domestic abuse, young people disengaged at school, young people with anger issues, children and young people where one parent is not around or part of their lives.

We currently provide over 4000 hours of 1-2-1 mentoring per year. We receive referrals from schools, GPs, Social Workers, School Nurses, Mental Health Services, Early Help Hubs, Health Visitors and other professionals.

Each child or young person is treated as an individual. Most of the young people we work with just want quality attention, support, encouragement and love. Our team help young people to regulate their emotions, talk through problems they are facing, help young people reach their potential and achieve their goals.

Our role as a mentor is to believe in the young person, make them feel safe, make them feel important and wanted, we see the good when others do not. There is always hope even when it does not feel like there is. Encourage young people to never give up and encourage that they can achieve if they put their minds to it.

You can really make a difference and change a life around…

Become a mentor…

It’s an opportunity for you to change the life of a young person who, through no fault of their own, is not receiving the attention, encouragement and support they need.

Many of the young people after they leave us, return to school, get excellent exam results and some go on to higher education. Others learn to manage regulate their emotions, rebuild relationships with parents or sibling, develop coping strategies to cope with difficult problems at home.

It’s not only the mentees themselves who benefit from a mentoring programme, many of our mentors have said that mentoring has helped them in their employment and looks good on their cvs, as well as the satisfaction that comes from watching a young person grow and achieve.

What does being a mentor involve..

Mentors meet with the same young person once a week, for around six months to one year. The aim is to offer support, encouragement and guidance. Mentors encourage young people to believe in themselves, building up their self-confidence and helping them to achieve their goals.

Many of the young people have been let down by adults and have faced disappointment. They may not have an opportunity to express how they feeling or if they do, they might not have anyone who really cares. The most important thing that a mentor can do is to simply be there for the young person – to be someone that the young person can trust, an adult who will listen to them without judgement.

If you are interested please email admin@spotlightuk.org